unit 5

Learning

A process that results in a change in behavior or knowledge as a result of experience

Stimulus

Any event or change in the environment that elicits a response

Behaviorism

A psychological approach that emphasizes the study of observable behaviors and the role of the environment as a determinant of behavior

Ivan Pavlov

A Russian physiologist best known for his work in classical conditioning

Classical Conditioning

A learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together, leading to a conditioned response to a neutral stimulus

Neutral Stimulus (NS)

A stimulus that initially produces no specific response until it is paired with an unconditioned stimulus

Conditioned Response (CR)

A learned response to a previously neutral stimulus due to conditioning

Unconditioned Response (UR)

An unlearned, naturally occurring response to an unconditioned stimulus

Conditioned Stimulus (CS)

A previously neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, elicits a conditioned response

Unconditioned Stimulus (US)

A stimulus that unconditionally triggers a response

Thorndike

An American psychologist known for his work on the law of effect and learning theory

Law of Effect

Thorndike's principle that behaviors followed by favorable consequences become more likely, and behaviors followed by unfavorable consequences become less likely

B.F. Skinner

An American psychologist known for his research on operant conditioning and behavior analysis

Operant Conditioning

A learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment

Positive Reinforcement

The addition of a pleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior

Negative Reinforcement

The removal of an adverse stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior

Primary Reinforcer

A stimulus that is naturally rewarding, such as food or water

Continuous Reinforcement

A schedule of reinforcement where every correct response is reinforced

Partial Reinforcement

A schedule of reinforcement where not every correct response is reinforced

Fixed-Ratio

A reinforcement schedule that rewards a behavior after a set number of responses

Variable-Ratio

A reinforcement schedule that rewards an unpredictable number of responses

Fixed-Interval

A reinforcement schedule that rewards behaviors after a set period of time

Variable-Interval

A reinforcement schedule that rewards behaviors after an unpredictable amount of time

Positive Punishment

The addition of an adverse stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior

Negative Punishment

The removal of a pleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior

Shaping

The process of reinforcing successive approximations of a desired behavior

Acquisition

The initial stage of learning when a response is first established

Extinction

The diminishing of a conditioned response when the reinforcement is no longer presented

Spontaneous Recovery

The reappearance of a conditioned response after a rest period

Discrimination

The ability to distinguish between different stimuli and respond differently

Generalization

The tendency to respond to stimuli that are similar to the conditioned stimulus

Taste Aversion

A learned aversion to a particular taste or food that has been associated with illness

Cognitive Learning

A type of learning that involves understanding, knowing, or thinking as opposed to simple behaviorism

Edward Tolman

An American psychologist known for his studies on cognitive maps and latent learning

Cognitive Map

A mental representation of physical locations

Latent Learning

Learning that occurs without reinforcement and is not immediately reflected in behavior

Intrinsic Motivation

Engaging in behavior because it is personally rewarding

Extrinsic Motivation

Engaging in behavior to earn rewards or avoid punishments

Internal Locus of Control

The belief that one has control over their own life and outcomes

External Locus of Control

The belief that external factors, like fate or luck, control life events

Self-Control

The ability to regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the face of temptations

Learned Helplessness

The state in which an organism has learned that it has no control over negative outcomes

Albert Bandura

A psychologist known for his work on social learning, particularly observational learning

Bobo Doll Experiment

A study conducted by Bandura that demonstrated children's imitation of aggressive behaviors observed in adults

Modeling

The process of learning behaviors through the observation of others

Mirror Neurons

Neurons that fire both when an individual acts and when the individual observes the same action performed by another

Prosocial Behavior

Voluntary behavior intended to benefit others

Antisocial Behavior

Behavior that is harmful or disrespectful toward others and society as a whole

What is Positive Reinforcement?

The introduction of a pleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

What is Negative Reinforcement?

The removal of an unpleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behavior.

What is Positive Punishment?

The addition of an aversive stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

What is Negative Punishment?

The removal of a rewarding stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behavior.

Example of Positive Reinforcement?

Giving a child candy for completing their homework.

Example of Negative Reinforcement?

Taking pain medication to relieve pain, thereby increasing the likelihood of taking medication in the future.

Example of Positive Punishment?

Scolding a pet for misbehaving to decrease that behavior.

Example of Negative Punishment?

Taking away a teenager's phone as a consequence for breaking curfew.